Deep-Dive into Live From Emmet's Place performance of "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" with Gabrielle Cavassa

Conclusion:

Gabrielle Cavassa’s “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To”: A conservative, subtle, swinging arrangement. Every musician had compelling solos, saying a lot in a couple choruses. Gabrielle was playful and patient on her vocal delivery of the melody, and likewise conservative in her interpretation. The group and Gabrielle were at its artistic peak at the 64 bar, open-ended tag at the song’s end. Within that tag was group communication, dynamic ebb and flow, big-band like rhythmic hits, and a story Gabrielle told through both lyrics and improvised melodies. The extended tag was unexpected but robust in exploration and creativity. It demonstrates the power of a full group of jazz musicians using their ‘huge ears’ and quick reactions to collectively guide themselves through a static set of chord changes. They all made a lot out of four repeated measures. Overall, a very entertaining listen on a Cole Porter classic.

Questions to ask:

1. How would you interpret the lyrics to You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To?

2. Does Gabrielle’s rendition add to or subtract from your interpretation? How?

3. What is the effect on the song, having no introduction?

4. How would you describe Gabrielle’s interpretation of the Head-In?

5. How would you describe Gabrielle’s interpretation in comparison with the Head-Out?

6. What is your opinion on the 64-bar open-ended tag? Please explain.

7. What melodic threads or motifs ran through the open-ended tag?

8. Can you compare this tag to something similar in another tune?

9. What were your favorite moments in each solo?

10. What elements of the song are governed by their jam approach? Positives and negatives for a jam performance?

Activities:

Learn the ABAB’ form to this song. Predict when various parts of the song will occur.

Take note of your favorite parts of the song. Where are they?

Learn and imitate the melody to head-in. How does it vary from other versions?

Learn and imitate the vocal tone, ornamentation, and lyric delivery to Gabrielle’s melody interpretation.

Learn either all of or parts of the melody to one of the instrumental solos.

If learning a part of a solo, pull a small phrase or phrases and write them out.

Learn the small phrase(s) in all 12 keys.

Insert the learned, pulled phrases into other songs to give them new life.

Understand, and provide lyrical emphasis, performing this song with live musicians or a sing-along track.

Compare this version to other similar jazz versions. How are they alike and different?

Apply this bandstand-arrangement of You’d Be So Nice to Come To to a new song with similar features. What worked? What didn’t work?

Attempt to sing this song and borrow elements from this version. What did you borrow?

What did you learn from this performance? Can you demonstrate it?